David Johnson hopes that Ghizao can continue his great record in the Arkle Trophy on Tuesday week, although his good friend and joint-owner Andy Stewart doesn't appear to be quite so confident.

Despite being as short as 7-2 in places and having been impressive in his last two starts, Stewart appeared somewhat cautious over the chance of the Paul Nicholls'-trained seven-year-old in the Grade 1 two-mile chase.

Stewart said: "If Ghizao wins, it will be a weak Arkle - I don't think he's good enough."

Johnson laughed when the quote was recited to him, and said: "I think that must have been said a little bit tongue in cheek.

"Andy's never won the Arkle, so he's probably a little reluctant to talk him up, but I think Ghizao is the best chance that Paul Nicholls has ever had of winning the race."

Johnson owned four winners of the Arkle in the late 1990s and 2000s as Or Royal, Champleve, Well Chief and Contraband all landed the contest.

And he is hoping that some of his luck will rub off on his mate.

"Ghizao has had a long break since winning at Newbury (on December 29) and hopefully that will work to our advantage.

"He's a fresh horse, he's won at Cheltenham over fences and he's been going great at home."

With a laugh Johnson added: "I have had a bit of luck in the race, so I'd like to think I'm a better judge than Andy!

"His comments are quite amusing, because he tells me that Ghizao is his best chance of a winner all week! I've backed him at double figures and I think he's got a really big chance."

After I'd ended my association with trainer Martin Pipe, I was fortunate enough to ride Challenger Du Luc to victory in the Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham for his son David in 1996, and was thrilled for him when he won the Grand National with Comply Or Die.

David is a top guy, as is Andy, and it would be great to see them team up with a winner at the Festival meeting. But it does look a very hot race, with Finian's Rainbow and Realt Dubh among the principals.

It is also worth noting that jockey Robert Thornton really rates current 7-2 favourite, the Alan Kingtrained Medermit. "He's my best ride of the week and I'm very confident,' said 'Choc'.

Johnson's famous blue and green silks will also be carried by Jessies Dream, who is second-favourite for the RSA Chase behind hot favourite Time For Rupert.

Trained by Gordon Elliott, Jessies Dream was beaten as an odds-on favourite in a three-runner affair at Leopardstown in heavy ground on January 9. "He had a racecourse gallop this week and Gordon says he's in great shape," said Johnson. "He is better going lefthanded and while you can't take anything away from Time For Rupert, it is Cheltenham. One mistake can cost you, and anything can happen. Gordon says he'd be very disappointed if Jessies Dream is not in the first three."

While Great Endeavour holds a Gold Cup entry, Johnson expects him to run in the Andy Stewart Spinal Research Handicap Chase, and he's also looking forward to having his first ever runner in the 3m 7f Cross Country Chase, with trainer Ferdy Murphy aiming last year's National Hunt Challenge Cup winner Poker De Sivola at the Glenfarclassponsored Handicap. Those looking for a bit of value from one of Johnson's runners should look at Ashkazar's form.

Though a Ladbrokes World Hurdle outsider, it is worth noting that he hails from David Pipe's stable, just like second-favourite Grands Crus.

Johnson said: "Grands Crus and Ashkazar won their respective races in identical ground and over the same trip at Cheltenham last time. But while Grands Crus won the Cleeve Hurdle in a canter, David (Pipe) told me that it is worth remembering Ashkazar's time in a handicap hurdle was almost five seconds faster - and he carried a stone more!

"If he turns up on the day in that form, Ashkazar could well be in the first three."